1
00:00:01,620 --> 00:00:02,900
The Thieves Guild

2
00:00:04,380 --> 00:00:05,759
by Jake Kerr.

3
00:00:10,899 --> 00:00:12,839
Episode 79.

4
00:00:18,100 --> 00:00:19,459
Simple as that.

5
00:00:24,079 --> 00:00:28,959
Karch was having dinner in his private quarters
when a fist pounded on his

6
00:00:29,000 --> 00:00:33,919
door. Only one person would dare to intrude on
Karch like that, a

7
00:00:34,040 --> 00:00:38,919
messenger from Lassen. Karch took his time and
wiped the gravy on his plate

8
00:00:38,959 --> 00:00:40,119
with a piece of bread.

9
00:00:40,759 --> 00:00:45,380
As the door knock became louder and more
insistent, he finished

10
00:00:45,399 --> 00:00:48,679
eating his bread and wiped his mouth with the
napkin.

11
00:00:49,479 --> 00:00:54,000
The knocking had changed to pounding, and Karch
had to smile as he placed the

12
00:00:54,039 --> 00:00:58,779
napkin on the tray as he stood up. It was a small
thing, but

13
00:00:58,799 --> 00:01:03,719
making people understand that their urgency didn't
matter to him placed them in the

14
00:01:03,719 --> 00:01:07,179
appropriate mindset as to who was in charge.

15
00:01:07,179 --> 00:01:09,579
"I am," Karch thought.

16
00:01:10,619 --> 00:01:14,799
Opening the door, Karch didn't even let the
messenger speak.

17
00:01:15,339 --> 00:01:18,399
With a wave of his hand, he crossed through the
door.

18
00:01:18,899 --> 00:01:20,719
I know, I know. Lassen needs to see me.

19
00:01:21,219 --> 00:01:26,159
Karch had one problem: he hadn't apologized to
Kerris yet, and he was

20
00:01:26,199 --> 00:01:29,639
unsure how to reply when Lassen asked him if he
had.

21
00:01:30,399 --> 00:01:34,839
It was possible that Kerris would be in the room
and gloating as Lassen

22
00:01:34,919 --> 00:01:37,979
berated Karch over the lack of apology.

23
00:01:38,579 --> 00:01:43,059
Karch would apologize, of course. All other paths
led to the

24
00:01:43,119 --> 00:01:47,979
dungeon or worse, but he wondered if his delay
would cost him.

25
00:01:48,739 --> 00:01:53,479
He knocked on Lassen's door and entered without
invitation, as he always

26
00:01:53,539 --> 00:01:58,519
did. To his shock, Lassen was standing and looking
out his broad window

27
00:01:58,879 --> 00:02:03,559
that oversaw the Lower Quarter. The Craft Guild
Tower stood in the distance.

28
00:02:03,939 --> 00:02:04,399
Sir?

29
00:02:04,899 --> 00:02:09,399
Karch stopped in front of Lassen's desk and stood
at attention,

30
00:02:09,859 --> 00:02:11,699
his hands behind his back.

31
00:02:11,739 --> 00:02:13,839
Tell me what you think of Orion.

32
00:02:14,699 --> 00:02:18,799
Lassen's voice was calm, and the guild master
stood motionless,

33
00:02:19,059 --> 00:02:23,999
continuing to peer out the window. "He knows I
didn't apologize,

34
00:02:24,339 --> 00:02:28,659
and he is going to slowly work his way to a rage,"
Karch thought.

35
00:02:28,959 --> 00:02:30,959
Stifling a sigh, he replied.

36
00:02:30,979 --> 00:02:35,239
He is our most powerful ally. Yes, but I am asking
about him as a person.

37
00:02:35,619 --> 00:02:37,619
What do you think of him? Is he dangerous?

38
00:02:38,279 --> 00:02:41,799
Is he the type to betray his friends? Is he
dull-headed and harmless?

39
00:02:42,819 --> 00:02:47,539
Karch paused. He always considered that there was
more to Orion

40
00:02:47,639 --> 00:02:52,559
than it appeared. In fact, he had pondered whether
Orion was creating

41
00:02:52,639 --> 00:02:57,219
some competing plot while playing the role of a
bumbling man of the people.

42
00:02:57,619 --> 00:03:02,419
One of the concerns his entire time as deputy was
his inability to

43
00:03:02,439 --> 00:03:07,199
keep an eye on the craft guild master, as Lassen
commanded that doing

44
00:03:07,279 --> 00:03:12,139
so was a waste of time. Yet Karch knew that Lassen
had a specific

45
00:03:12,179 --> 00:03:15,099
opinion, and it seemed pointless to counter it.

46
00:03:15,099 --> 00:03:18,199
He is harmless, a simple man with simple goals.

47
00:03:18,619 --> 00:03:23,359
His lack of sophistication makes him very popular
with everyone, but it makes him a good and
predictable

48
00:03:23,419 --> 00:03:25,799
ally. Yes, so I thought.

49
00:03:26,579 --> 00:03:28,019
Lassen turned around.

50
00:03:28,639 --> 00:03:30,619
Sit down, Karch. We have a problem.

51
00:03:31,659 --> 00:03:34,559
Lassen walked over and sat down at his desk.

52
00:03:35,079 --> 00:03:36,119
Orion is a problem?

53
00:03:36,559 --> 00:03:41,479
Karch wondered what Orion had done. Was he truly a
formidable opponent,

54
00:03:41,859 --> 00:03:45,579
and had he made a mistake? Did he tip his hand in
some way?

55
00:03:46,179 --> 00:03:51,019
Karch entered the room assuming it was Orion's
nephew that would be the problem.

56
00:03:51,599 --> 00:03:52,759
Perhaps they were related.

57
00:03:53,599 --> 00:03:56,199
He marched in here and told me that I had to stop
my plans.

58
00:03:56,659 --> 00:04:00,039
He outlined that they were doomed to failure, and
you will not believe why.

59
00:04:00,659 --> 00:04:05,079
Karch's first thought was that Orion wasn't
plotting, but had finally

60
00:04:05,079 --> 00:04:07,919
understood the stupidity of Lassen's plan.

61
00:04:08,539 --> 00:04:10,399
This is getting interesting.

62
00:04:10,419 --> 00:04:14,599
Not seeing the flaw in your plan myself, I of
course do not believe it.

63
00:04:15,079 --> 00:04:17,559
Exactly. Such comments are nonsensical.

64
00:04:17,939 --> 00:04:21,399
Orion is of a mind that the Wretched Quarter is
organized and run by thieves.

65
00:04:21,879 --> 00:04:26,479
Our mission to drive the Harvest Guild members to
the Wretched Quarter rather than making the guild

66
00:04:26,519 --> 00:04:31,379
members miserable and open to our message of
reconciliation upon Polo's dismissal

67
00:04:32,279 --> 00:04:36,119
will lead to them being cared for, and possibly
armed by these thieves.

68
00:04:37,459 --> 00:04:42,259
Despite his suspicions toward Orion's motivation,
the fact that he was well

69
00:04:42,339 --> 00:04:47,299
known to rage against thieves made Karch consider
the possibility that the guild

70
00:04:47,359 --> 00:04:52,079
master craft was simply letting the stress of
Lassen's plan get

71
00:04:52,239 --> 00:04:52,879
to him.

72
00:04:52,939 --> 00:04:57,799
He has always hated thieves. Yes, that was my
thought, but there is more to

73
00:04:57,819 --> 00:05:01,299
this. Orion acted differently. He commanded me.
Me!

74
00:05:02,099 --> 00:05:07,079
And he was outlining a specific line of attack
against us, with one coming from the Greatbridge,
and

75
00:05:07,099 --> 00:05:08,399
then another from Trader's Bridge.

76
00:05:08,399 --> 00:05:12,699
Karch nodded his head. The scenario sounded

77
00:05:12,799 --> 00:05:17,659
distinctly possible if the guild members in the
Wretched Quarter would organize with the

78
00:05:17,719 --> 00:05:19,239
help of the Harvest Guild.

79
00:05:19,859 --> 00:05:23,099
I'm afraid I don't understand. It was a threat,
you idiot.

80
00:05:23,619 --> 00:05:27,199
Lassen's previous calm demeanor disappeared in a
heartbeat.

81
00:05:27,799 --> 00:05:32,499
He has clearly partnered with Polo and is going to
rally the Harvest Guild members in the Wretched
Quarter

82
00:05:32,499 --> 00:05:33,099
against me.

83
00:05:33,699 --> 00:05:37,999
He stormed in here, told me of this threat to me,
and for me to change my plans.

84
00:05:38,439 --> 00:05:43,299
Of course, he's smart enough to know that he can't
threaten me directly, so he uses this mythical

85
00:05:43,379 --> 00:05:48,239
Thieves Guild as the method. So, if we don't
abandon our plan to clear the Lower

86
00:05:48,299 --> 00:05:53,079
Quarter and overthrow Polo, Orion will lead an
attack from the Wretched Quarter while Polo

87
00:05:53,099 --> 00:05:54,519
attacks from the Harvest District?

88
00:05:55,039 --> 00:05:57,839
Karch considered the scenario unlikely.

89
00:05:58,299 --> 00:06:03,219
Even if Orion was creating a path to power for
himself behind the scenes, he

90
00:06:03,239 --> 00:06:08,059
would have much more to lose attacking Sax and
Lassen than going against a single

91
00:06:08,139 --> 00:06:08,619
Polo.

92
00:06:09,057 --> 00:06:13,697
"Yes. Of course, he backpedaled at the end of the
meeting, but it was because I was playing dumb and

93
00:06:13,697 --> 00:06:16,217
rejecting his comments by using his own words
against him.

94
00:06:16,737 --> 00:06:19,477
He made it clear earlier, however, that he is
dangerous."

95
00:06:20,957 --> 00:06:25,698
Larsen's anger was bubbling beneath the surface,
and Karch decided to

96
00:06:25,717 --> 00:06:30,378
simply move along rather than ask more questions
and risk Larsen

97
00:06:30,458 --> 00:06:32,537
redirecting his anger at Karch.

98
00:06:33,278 --> 00:06:38,217
Of course, Karch thought Larsen's entire plan was
doomed for failure

99
00:06:38,237 --> 00:06:43,038
with Orion, let alone without him, so there was no
sense in arguing

100
00:06:43,077 --> 00:06:44,497
over details anyway.

101
00:06:44,497 --> 00:06:46,378
"So, what should we do?"

102
00:06:46,837 --> 00:06:49,017
Peering at Karch, Larsen replied.

103
00:06:49,017 --> 00:06:53,597
"First, I want your counsel. You were not there,
of course, but your distance is

104
00:06:53,638 --> 00:06:57,097
valuable. What do you think of Orion now that you
know of the conversation?

105
00:06:57,817 --> 00:07:02,157
When you first arrived, I asked you that, but now
I want to know if your opinion has changed."

106
00:07:02,817 --> 00:07:07,597
Karch was shocked. Larsen appeared to sincerely be
asking for input

107
00:07:07,597 --> 00:07:11,237
as to whether his interpretation was correct or
not.

108
00:07:11,637 --> 00:07:16,077
He had asked for such advice in the past, but
never of anything of such

109
00:07:16,197 --> 00:07:20,777
import. More like, "Should I trust the new chef to
cook the

110
00:07:20,837 --> 00:07:22,657
eggs the way I like them?"

111
00:07:23,317 --> 00:07:27,957
Karch's immediate thought was that Orion was
speaking the truth.

112
00:07:28,297 --> 00:07:32,697
Even if there were no Thieves Guild or organized
thief presence across the river,

113
00:07:33,197 --> 00:07:38,077
the idea that the disenfranchised Harvest Guild
members would organize was

114
00:07:38,077 --> 00:07:42,517
reasonable. Yet saying so would be disagreeing
with Larsen.

115
00:07:42,937 --> 00:07:45,537
The consequences of that could be dire.

116
00:07:45,537 --> 00:07:48,297
"Orion is looking to betray you, of course.

117
00:07:48,637 --> 00:07:52,017
I have long expected that he is perhaps more savvy
than we have considered."

118
00:07:52,477 --> 00:07:57,277
Larsen stared at Karch long enough that he felt
uncomfortable, as if

119
00:07:57,337 --> 00:08:00,377
Larsen were weighing the truthfulness of his
words.

120
00:08:01,017 --> 00:08:04,357
Finally, Larsen sighed loudly and replied.

121
00:08:04,357 --> 00:08:08,217
"Your conclusion is correct, but your perception
of his character is wrong."

122
00:08:09,117 --> 00:08:13,957
Karch wondered if Larsen had asked simply to
disagree with Karch, there

123
00:08:13,997 --> 00:08:15,517
being no correct answer.

124
00:08:16,197 --> 00:08:17,477
Larsen shook his head.

125
00:08:17,477 --> 00:08:22,437
"I've always liked Orion, and he's a good man, but
something has happened to him.

126
00:08:23,077 --> 00:08:26,997
Whether he is being blackmailed, or scared, or
simply gone insane, it doesn't matter.

127
00:08:27,717 --> 00:08:28,737
He must be dealt with."

128
00:08:29,557 --> 00:08:31,257
Larsen held up a finger.

129
00:08:31,257 --> 00:08:34,277
"We must be discreet, but we must be forceful.

130
00:08:34,777 --> 00:08:39,517
Go to Pattis and work with him on assassinating
Orion in some fashion that will deflect blame.

131
00:08:40,377 --> 00:08:43,137
He is still our ally, so perhaps we can blame
Polo.

132
00:08:43,897 --> 00:08:45,717
Yes, that's the perfect plan.

133
00:08:46,337 --> 00:08:47,937
Kill Orion and blame Polo."

134
00:08:48,657 --> 00:08:52,557
Karch knew the words were coming, but they still
shocked him.

135
00:08:53,137 --> 00:08:56,557
Orion was beloved almost as much as Pietro.

136
00:08:56,957 --> 00:09:01,537
His death could reasonably be connected to Polo,
so the chances of the

137
00:09:01,637 --> 00:09:04,977
plan succeeding weren't what concerned Karch.

138
00:09:05,517 --> 00:09:09,957
It was Larsen's complete disregard for the power
vacuum that would

139
00:09:09,977 --> 00:09:14,677
ensue from Orion's death. The city was already in
a de facto

140
00:09:14,777 --> 00:09:19,197
civil war, and Orion's death would seed greater
chaos and a greater

141
00:09:19,257 --> 00:09:22,797
likelihood that the entire fabric of the city
would collapse.

142
00:09:23,597 --> 00:09:28,537
Yet there was no option in that room at that time
other than to agree.

143
00:09:28,537 --> 00:09:32,937
"As you wish, Guildmaster. I will work with Pattis
on this right away.

144
00:09:32,937 --> 00:09:37,457
We will make sure that Polo is blamed for Orion's
death." "It is as it should be."

145
00:09:37,937 --> 00:09:42,237
Larsen pushed his chair back to stand up, and
Karch scrambled to his feet.

146
00:09:42,777 --> 00:09:46,537
As Larsen walked back to stare out his window, he
muttered.

147
00:09:46,537 --> 00:09:47,937
"You are dismissed."

148
00:09:48,617 --> 00:09:53,217
But his thoughts already seemed to be focused on
the craft tower in the distance.

149
00:09:56,277 --> 00:10:00,737
Karch found Pattis arguing with a Guild Guard
captain about clearing the pit.

150
00:10:01,217 --> 00:10:05,857
Word had come that the Harvest Guild families had
massacred a group of Merchant

151
00:10:05,937 --> 00:10:10,257
Guild members out of anger. Karch was not
surprised.

152
00:10:10,637 --> 00:10:15,357
The pit was a particularly nasty and dirty section
of the flats.

153
00:10:15,357 --> 00:10:19,497
"Just kill them all, Pattis. That appears to be
your style anyway."

154
00:10:20,137 --> 00:10:21,777
Pattis turned to Karch.

155
00:10:21,777 --> 00:10:24,537
"Where in the name of the gods have you been
anyway?

156
00:10:25,397 --> 00:10:27,897
You are supposed to be handling this now that
you're back.

157
00:10:28,237 --> 00:10:29,877
I'm not the deputy guildmaster."

158
00:10:29,877 --> 00:10:34,737
"No, you're not," Karch replied coolly, as the
guard used

159
00:10:34,837 --> 00:10:39,237
Karch's interruption as an opportunity to escape
his argument with Pattis.

160
00:10:39,237 --> 00:10:40,597
"Well, what do you want?

161
00:10:41,237 --> 00:10:44,717
I'm busy trying to clean up a mess that I had
hoped you would have handled already."

162
00:10:44,717 --> 00:10:48,257
"Whatever you're dealing with is unimportant.

163
00:10:48,617 --> 00:10:52,537
Larsen has a mission for you, and it's one that is
more appropriate for your

164
00:10:53,337 --> 00:10:54,017
talents."

165
00:10:54,517 --> 00:10:56,637
Karch pointed toward the stairway.

166
00:10:56,637 --> 00:10:58,777
"But we need privacy for this discussion.

167
00:10:59,197 --> 00:11:00,677
Let us speak in your office."

168
00:11:01,357 --> 00:11:06,077
Purposefully bumping into Karch as he walked by,
Pattis gave Karch a

169
00:11:06,137 --> 00:11:09,377
hard stare as he started toward his office.

170
00:11:09,377 --> 00:11:12,357
"He acts like a child," Karch thought.

171
00:11:12,737 --> 00:11:15,157
Pattis walked over and plopped onto his couch.

172
00:11:15,157 --> 00:11:17,817
"I'm starting not to like you, Karch.

173
00:11:18,137 --> 00:11:20,797
You're nowhere to be found except when you need to
order me around."

174
00:11:20,797 --> 00:11:24,157
"I'm not ordering you around. Larsen is."

175
00:11:24,477 --> 00:11:27,057
Before Pattis could reply, Karch added.

176
00:11:27,057 --> 00:11:28,697
"And you never liked me."

177
00:11:29,297 --> 00:11:31,197
Smiling, Pattis replied.

178
00:11:31,197 --> 00:11:32,737
"That's true. So,

179
00:11:33,397 --> 00:11:34,537
what is this new job?"

180
00:11:34,537 --> 00:11:38,917
"You are to assassinate Orion and make it look
like Polo's Blade did the job."

181
00:11:39,617 --> 00:11:41,117
Pattis sat up straight.

182
00:11:41,117 --> 00:11:43,097
"Oh, that is interesting."

183
00:11:44,797 --> 00:11:46,897
Rubbing his hands together, he added.

184
00:11:46,897 --> 00:11:48,797
"I have a few ideas already."

185
00:11:48,797 --> 00:11:50,377
"Very good."

186
00:11:50,757 --> 00:11:55,477
Karch paused, wondering if it was worthwhile to
ask if Pattis was

187
00:11:55,497 --> 00:11:57,417
concerned about the consequences.

188
00:11:57,417 --> 00:11:59,637
"Is there a timeframe?"

189
00:11:59,637 --> 00:12:02,697
"It's Larsen. You've already taken too long."

190
00:12:03,017 --> 00:12:04,377
Pattis smiled again.

191
00:12:04,377 --> 00:12:05,657
"That's true."

192
00:12:05,657 --> 00:12:08,617
"Larsen will want you to report to me when you
finish."

193
00:12:08,617 --> 00:12:09,837
"Of course."

194
00:12:10,691 --> 00:12:15,351
Pattis sat quietly, so Karch just turned and
started

195
00:12:15,351 --> 00:12:16,331
toward the door.

196
00:12:16,931 --> 00:12:21,731
He paused at the threshold. Everything screamed to
him that he was helping

197
00:12:21,731 --> 00:12:26,531
build his own gallows. He knew that Larsen's plan
was a disaster,

198
00:12:26,952 --> 00:12:31,811
but with Orion around there was some hope that
Karch could salvage something out of the wreckage.

199
00:12:32,411 --> 00:12:37,051
Now, with Orion being removed, Karch could see
nothing but chaos and

200
00:12:37,131 --> 00:12:42,091
death, with anyone at a senior level in the
Merchant Guild ending up hanging from a

201
00:12:42,151 --> 00:12:42,612
rope.

202
00:12:43,671 --> 00:12:47,792
He turned to Pattis. "Pattis, what do you think
will happen once Orion is dead?"

203
00:12:48,792 --> 00:12:52,992
Pattis looked surprised that Karch had asked him a
serious question.

204
00:12:53,571 --> 00:12:55,111
After a moment, he replied-

205
00:12:55,111 --> 00:12:59,611
"I don't care. I have a job to do. I do the job
and good things happen.

206
00:12:59,612 --> 00:13:00,391
Simple as that."

207
00:13:01,731 --> 00:13:06,051
Karch nodded. "Yes, simple as that." He walked out
and

208
00:13:06,171 --> 00:13:10,971
started down the staircase. He didn't have any
good options, but he at least

209
00:13:10,971 --> 00:13:15,031
had options. It would not be long before he
wouldn't have any.

210
00:13:15,792 --> 00:13:20,571
At the stables, Karch called up a guild carriage,
an open one that was

211
00:13:20,612 --> 00:13:23,591
more for speed than diplomacy or protection.

212
00:13:23,591 --> 00:13:24,891
"Where to, sir?"

213
00:13:26,491 --> 00:13:29,091
Karch crawled up in the back behind the driver.

214
00:13:29,091 --> 00:13:31,712
"The Knight Tower, quickly." "Yes, sir."

215
00:13:32,871 --> 00:13:37,332
The carriage made its way down Merchant Avenue and
then around Craft

216
00:13:37,431 --> 00:13:41,432
Tower. Karch could still smell the burning wood in
the air.

217
00:13:41,891 --> 00:13:46,832
The carriage was taking the road that ran along
the wall all the way to the Knight

218
00:13:46,972 --> 00:13:47,451
Tower.

219
00:13:48,071 --> 00:13:52,872
It was longer than going straight through the
Flats, but it would be faster with fewer

220
00:13:52,991 --> 00:13:57,332
intersections and stops, and of course avoided the
chaos.

221
00:13:58,051 --> 00:14:02,671
The carriage was fast and Karch's blue cape
billowed out behind him.

222
00:14:03,071 --> 00:14:07,911
Unclasping it from around his shoulders, he rolled
it up into a ball and placed

223
00:14:07,951 --> 00:14:09,451
it on the seat next to him.

224
00:14:10,091 --> 00:14:14,671
As he rode past, the sound of metal crashing
against metal and

225
00:14:14,731 --> 00:14:17,831
screams of pain and anger came from his left.

226
00:14:18,251 --> 00:14:23,191
It was the pit, and Karch could imagine the
Harvest Guild members being

227
00:14:23,211 --> 00:14:27,332
dragged from their wretched homes and slaughtered
in the streets.

228
00:14:27,351 --> 00:14:32,031
Polo will not be forgiving, Karch thought, and
that was one of the

229
00:14:32,052 --> 00:14:33,512
reasons for his journey.

230
00:14:34,132 --> 00:14:35,891
The carriage stopped at the Knight Tower

231
00:14:36,511 --> 00:14:38,572
and Karch climbed out.

232
00:14:39,251 --> 00:14:42,072
From behind him the driver shouted out-

233
00:14:42,072 --> 00:14:45,411
"Sir, you've forgotten your guild colors."

234
00:14:46,151 --> 00:14:50,972
But Karch ignored him, continuing to the Knight
Tower with a grim look on his

235
00:14:51,031 --> 00:14:55,371
face. Left behind, his blue cloak flapped in the
wind.

236
00:14:57,612 --> 00:15:37,511
(instrumental music plays)